Speech by Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education, at the Teens' Forum II, at the Grassroots Club, on Saturday, 12 August 2006 at 2.00 pm

SPEECH BY MR MASAGOS ZULKIFLI, SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, AT THE TEENS’ FORUM II, AT THE GRASSROOTS CLUB, ON SATURDAY, 12 AUGUST 2006 AT 2.00 PM

1. I am happy to join all of you here today at the Teens Forum II. I am heartened to see so many youth here. This tells me that you care enough to spend time here and contribute to the discussion on issues concerning our youth.

2. Teens of today grow up in prosperity and enjoy a living standard comparable to that in many First World countries. They also have to cope with numerous challenges during the growing up years. These challenges include peer pressure, family ties, academic results, or low self-esteem, just to name a few.

3. Learning to understand and cope with these challenges is important because the teenage years is when the teen seeks to realise his or her own identity, and yet is a time when they are probably more susceptible to peer pressure and negative influences.

4. With the theme “Speak Up, Hear Out!”, the Forum provides a platform for our teenagers to air their views and to raise their concerns on issues that are close to their hearts. We value what you have to say and want to give you the opportunity to have your voices heard.

5. I am happy to learn that Teens’ Forum II is one such platform for engaging our teens. I wish to compliment the Organising Committee, comprising the Youth Executive Committees (YEC) from Geylang West, Whampoa and Kampong Glam Community Clubs, and T-Net Club @ Geylang West, for organising this event.

6. Teens’ Forum II also seeks to provide teenagers and parents with the opportunity to better understand the laws relating to underage crime, such as sex with minors, and engaging in smoking and drinking while still below the legal age limit. Recently, the Straits Time conducted a series of surveys and investigations which revealed the disturbing fact that many teens had engaged in the above activities and more. It could have been due to ignorance or misinformation of the law that teens get involved in such activities.

7. Through this forum, I also hope you will have the opportunity to gain knowledge of the topics discussed and to better understand the resources available, so that you can reach out to your peers and be of help when they reach out to you for advice.
This forum also seeks to enhance your level of awareness of teens’ issues and concerns, and encourage you to make the right choices. I would like to encourage participants at the Forum to come up with ideas and initiate projects with the support of your schools and the community to reach out to your peers and assist them in making the right choices.

When you get what you want as your struggle for self
And the world makes you queen for a day,
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that woman has to say.
For it isn't your father or mother or husband
Who's judgement upon you must pass;
The person whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
She's the person to please, never mind all the rest,
For she's with you clear up to the end.
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the woman in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of life,
And get pats on your back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you've cheated the woman in the glass.

8. Through Teens Forum II, parents of teenagers can also develop a better understanding of the potential problems their children could be facing, and be better equipped to help them. As parents, the support you render to your children, particularly in times of need, would speak volumes of the love and concern you have for them. As a father myself, I am fully aware of the importance of such family support.

9. I am happy to note that many schools and students have responded positively to Teens’ Forum II. I strongly believe that your active participation will allow the organisers to achieve a better understanding of the varied views and needs of teenagers today, to enable them to be aware of your concerns and to act on them.

10. I urge all present today to make full use of their time here to hear one another carefully and to speak with open minds and hearts so that the experience will be a rich and meaningful one for all.